Bees get defensive in victory

December 16, 2006|TIM CREASON Tribune Correspondent

BRIDGMAN -- Bridgman's defense disappointed a lot of people Friday night. A full house packed the Bees' gym, expecting to see a great high school boys basketball game between two of the top teams in the Lakeland Conference. Instead, Bridgman's smothering defense shut down visiting Cassopolis, holding the Rangers to just nine points in the first half. The much-anticipated showdown ended up as a 58-41 blowout. Seth Coffing scored 14 points, while Craig McNees and Jon Malm each chipped in 11 to lead Bridgman to its third victory in as many games. "We defended really well and we handled the ball really well," said Bridgman coach Mike Miller, who had very little to be unhappy with afterwards. "Defense is our main emphasis from the first time a player sets foot on the floor, and tonight we defended extremely well." Cassopolis scored more points in a mop-up fourth quarter than it did in the first three quarters combined. Part of that was because the outcome was already determined. But part of that also was because Lonnie Williams caught fire from 3-point range, sinking four consecutive treys. Williams' 12 points led the Rangers (2-1 overall, 1-1 Lakeland). Paul Curtis was the only other Cass player in double figures with 10. "On a positive note, we outscored Bridgman in the second half," said Cassopolis coach Josh Hood. "But when you are in a hole that deep, it's hard to climb out. "To beat Bridgman, at Bridgman, you have to come out and take it to them right from the start. But they (Bridgman) are too experienced to let that happen. They are a veteran team and they have played in a lot of big-game situations before. Our (Cassopolis) guys are young, and a lot of them had never been in a game like this. You could tell the difference." Bridgman turned up the heat early. Fueled by a couple steals and fastbreak buckets from Zach Welsher, the Bees took a 10-2 lead in the first five minutes. It was 18-4 at the first-quarter break, and as the second period opened, Todd Hendricks sank a 3-pointer from the top of the key and Jon Malm punched in an offensive rebound, giving the Bees a 19-point advantage. "We like to dominate other teams early, because that sticks in their head the next time we play them," said Hendricks, who does most of Bridgman's ball-handling. Did the big crowd make the senior-heavy Bees nervous? "No, we've been in a lot of big games over the years," he said. "Seeing the stands filled is nice, but we focus on playing our own game and not worrying about the crowd." Bridgman's game included getting the Rangers' two big men inside, Nick Davis and Kris Morgan, into early foul trouble. Then, the Bees swarmed all over the Cass perimeter players. Cassopolis his just 4-of-19 shots in the first half. Bridgman led 30-9 at halftime. The Bees ended up sinking 48 percent of their shots, compared to 38 percent for Cass. And they pounded the Rangers on the boards, 30-14. "Mike Miller-coached teams always do a tremendous job of rebounding," said Hood. "They played like the veterans they are, tonight." BRIDGMAN 58, CASSOPOLIS 41At Bridgman CASSOPOLIS (41): Raymond Nelson 0 0-0 0, Nick Davis 1 0-0 2, Kris Morgan 1 0-0 2, P.J. Smith 1 0-0 2, Paul Curtis 4 0-1 10, Larry Harris 2 0-0 4, Lonnie Williams 4 0-0 12, Drew Warren 1 0-0 2, Dashaun Curtis 1 0-0 2, A.J. Ballard 2 1-2 5. TOTALS: 17 1-3 41. BRIDGMAN (58): Seth Coffing 6 1-2 14, Nick Sweet 2 0-2 5, Craig McNees 5 1-1 11, Jon Malm 3 3-4 11, Todd Hendricks 1 3-5 6, Zach Welsher 4 0-0 8, Andrew Ott 0 1-2 1, Vince Giancana 1 0-0 2, Pat Kading 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 22 9-16 58. Cassopolis 4 9 20 41 Bridgman 18 30 46 58 Three-point shooting: Cassopolis 6-17 (Curtis 2-5, Nelson 0-2, Smith 0-2, Williams 4-6, Warren 0-1, Da. Curtis 0-1), Bridgman 5-8 (Sweet 1-3, Coffing 1-1, Malm 2-3, Hendricks 1-1). Total fouls: Cassopolis 19, Bridgman 16. Fouled out: Davis (C). Technical fouls: none. Field goal shooting: Cassopolis 17-45 (38 percent), Bridgman 22-46 (48 percent). Rebounds: Cassopolis 14 (Curtis 4, Davis 4), Bridgman 30 (Welsher 10, Coffing 5). Turnovers: Cassopolis 20, Bridgman 16. Officials: Joe Gonzales, Bruce Arter, Troy Wright. Varsity records: Cassopolis 2-1 (1-1 Lakeland Conference), Bridgman 3-0 (2-0 Lakeland Conference). JV score: Bridgman 67, Cassopolis 29.